Our family communion generally worships on 2nd and 4th Thursdays, 7 PM, at the Armenian Church of St Gregory through the kindness of the Armenians and their hierarch (or our oratory at other times). Sometimes, our liturgies are held at our oratory due to some circumstances, so it is best to check with our clergy beforehand. The schedule currently is:

Jan 11

Jan 25

Feb 8

Feb 22

Mar 9

Mar 22

Apr 12

Apr 26

May 10

May 24

Jun 14

Jun 28

Jul 12

Jul 26

Aug 9

Aug 23

Sep 13

Sep 27

Oct 11

Oct 25

Nov 8

Nov 22

Dec 13

Dec 27

Our liturgical worship tries to fill a gap in the week, where our families would already worship on Sundays and sometimes mid-week on Wednesdays.

Worship Location

The Armenian Church of St Gregory the Illuminator, a 176 year old church, the oldest in Singapore, has blessed our humble communion to use its sacred grounds for liturgical worship. We are very grateful to His Eminence Abp Aghan Baliozian, of blessed memory (whom we consider our spiritual father), and his dedicated and kind administrators.

The Church is on Hill Street. The best places to park might be Grand Park Hotel (by Coleman Street), or Funan Mall (by North Bridge Road). Additional parking space is available behind the Church on Armenian Street.

What we celebrate at Divine Liturgy

We attempt to bring the heart of Divine Liturgy to our contemporary Christian families leading a hurried life.

The liturgy is based on ancient church rites (Holy Apostle James) and daily office. The liturgy is in 2 parts: (1) Liturgy of the Word (which includes Scriptural readings and a homily), and (2) Liturgy of the Faithful (which is the Eucharist).

We affirm the Mystery (sacrament) of the Sacred Eucharist (or Holy Communion), where bread and wine is transformed to the Body and Blood of our beloved Lord Jesus Christ. The Church does not describe this specifically, other than a Holy Mystery. We humbly believe we should do this as often as we can, as it is both solemn and rejuvenating.

Our communion is a closed one (as we believe in discipleship). We welcome our families to join us at the Divine Liturgy, to partake in receiving the body and blood of Christ in accordance with Tradition. We follow the Julian (Old) Calendar. Think of us simply as a “family cell group” in the contemporary Christian language, where our families worship together.

For those who require the Holy Mystery of the Eucharist in a visitation or hospital environment, or unction (anointing the sick) in our locality, we will be privileged to assist.

“And whilst they were eating, Jesus took bread; and blessing, broke, and gave to them, and said: Take ye. This is my body. And having taken the chalice, giving thanks, he gave it to them. And they all drank of it. And he said to them: This is my blood of the new testament, which shall be shed for many.” – St Mark 14:22-24 (DRC)

Reconciliation (Confession)

If you need the sacrament of reconciliation (confession), you can simply write them down on paper and talk to our priest 15 minutes before the liturgy.

Once in prerevolutionary Russia, a certain well known holy elder was asked to characterize a true Orthodox Christian. “A true Orthodox Christian,” answered the elder, “is one who is repenting.” (excerpted from Assistance in Holy Confession by Priest Gregory Naumenko. Orthodox Life Vol. 63 No. 2 March-April 2012)

Observing Church Liturgy and Worship

Here are some brief points:

We stand throughout the entire Divine Liturgy (except during the homily);

Formal and deeply reverent (it is a service for God, NOT entertainment);

We make the Sign of the Cross at mentions of the Trinity;

We venerate (NOT pray) to Blessed Mary, saints, and angels;

Non-Orthodox worshippers can receive blessed bread;

No personal stories but worship God only (leave that to other occasions);

We light candles as we enter the Church, and venerate the Icons;

Other traditional rubrics may be observed, including wearing the veil for ladies, kissing the hand of the priest during the Eucharist, etc.

Homilies

You will find some of our homilies (sermons) on this site. Click on “Homilies” in the menu above. The word “homily” is derived from the Greek Word “homileo” – conversation.

Our homilies content is mobile-friendly, which means if you browse our homilies using a smartphone (e.g. iPhone, Android or Blackberry), you will see a customized version for phones.

If you examine them, you will notice that our main focus is Theosis, that of growing ever closer to God, rather than address secular issues. This is what the Church focuses on. We believe in the importance of our daily walk with God, and the importance of the hereafter.

Do join us to contemplate on the issues and thoughts at hand, and reflect on the Holy Scriptural readings and the reflections in the homilies.

Small Oratory

Our small oratory is a PRIVATE space for family and friends to contemplate and read on various Eastern Orthodox Christian texts.

Resources

About prayer

"He who really prays is a theologian, and he who is a theologian really prays." - Evagrius of Pontus

"What is pure prayer? Prayer which is brief in words but abundant in actions. For if your actions do not exceed your petitions, then your prayers are mere words." - The Desert Fathers

"Prayer does not consist merely in standing and bowing your body or in reading written prayers... it is possible to pray at all times, in all places, with the mind and spirit. You can lift up your mind and heart to God while walking, sitting, working, in a crowd and in solitude. His door is always open, unlike man's. We can always say to Him in our hearts: Lord, Lord, have mercy." Saint Tikhon of Zadonsk